What are some causes of shooting pains in the hands?

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Some causes of shooting pain in the hands are carpal tunnel syndrome, hand fractures, de Quervain's tendinitis, different forms of arthritis and stenosing tenosynovitis. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is compression of the median nerve at the wrist region. The condition can lead to the sensation of tingling, pain and numbness in the fingers and hands, as well as a shooting pain in the forearm region, states MedicineNet.

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De Quervain's tendinitis is a condition that involves the swelling of tendons on the thumb-side of the wrist. The condition can be very painful when there is movement of the hand and wrist. The pain can also extend up into the forearm, notes WebMD.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause sharp pain in the fingers or wrist joints which may be constant, especially in the advanced stages of these arthritic conditions, according to Cleveland Clinic. However, this pain also can radiate out from the affected hand joints.

A hand fracture, which can range from a simple to compound fracture, can lead to severe hand pain. Similarly, a finger fracture can cause symptoms such as inflammation, pain and the inability to move the affected finger. Stenosing tenosynovitis, also referred to as "trigger finger," is a condition in which there is irritation of the tendons associated with the bending of a finger or thumb, notes WebMD. Trigger finger occurs when a finger becomes stuck in a bent position and extending or trying to straighten the affected finger can cause pain.